CHATHAM 0-12 GILLS: REPORT

Gillingham continued their unbeaten run in pre-season in convincing fashion following a 12-0 win over Chatham Town on Tuesday night.

Darren Oldaker produced the goal of the night with a stunning free-kick before a Connor Wilkinson brace put the visitors in total command.

Josh Wright and Bradley Garmston increased the lead with sub Tom Eaves adding a sixth shortly after the break.

Noel Mbo, Trialist (2), Jake Hessenthaler,  Elliott List and a second from Wright completed the rout.

Ady Pennock played a strong team for the match with Wilkinson starting up front and Wright lining up in midfield alongside Oldaker and Bradley Stevenson.

Eaves, Hessenthaler, List and Mbo were among the substitutes.

Gills very nearly went in front before a minute was on the clock. Garmston delivered a teasing ball from the left hand side and although Greg Cundle got to the ball first Ryan Nicholls made a good stop.

Garmston was involved again a few minutes later; his corner kick was aimed towards the far post. Tucker got on the end of it but with the ball heading towards the back of the net the defence cleared their lines.

On nine minutes the crowd were treated to a special strike from Oldaker. Gills were awarded a free-kick 30 yards from goal and the midfielder decided to shoot.

His strike was inch perfect and nestled into the top left hand corner with the keeper given absolutely no chance.

Lee Coburn had Chatham's first chance on 15 minutes, his shot from the edge of the area was dragged narrowly wide of Tom Hadler's right hand post.

On 24 minutes the visitors came within touching distance of a second. Cundle did well inside the box to turn his marker and get a shot away which was well saved; Stevenson was first to the loose ball but his effort was touched onto the post and away to safety.

Moments later Wilkinson fancied a crack on goal. Simpson played a short pass into the striker, he turned and thundered an effort towards goal but unfortunately for him saw it go over the bar.

The impressive Simpson was on the ball again shortly after. His low pass out wide found Garmston, he had time and space to pick out Cundle inside the box but he fired wide of the right hand post.

Finally Gills made their pressure count on 35 minutes. Wilkinson received the ball on the turn and ran at the defence, he made space for a shot and placed a left footed effort beyond the reach of Nicholls.

The floodgates then opened as Gillingham dominated proceedings. Wilkinson made it three with a low drive before Josh Wright's effort from 20 yards was spilled by the Chatham keeper before nestling in the back of the net.

And there was time for a fifth when Simpson expertly picked out the sprinting Garmston on the left wing, he burst inside the box and found the opposite corner with an excellent strike.

H/T: 0-5

Gills made four changes at the break and it didn't take long for one of them to make an impact.

Eaves received the ball on the edge of the box and on the turn he dropped his marker and found the top corner with an excellent effort.

The striker became the creator for the seventh, he drifted wide on the left wing and received an inch perfect pass. His first touch was excellent and he spotted the run of Mbo who had the simple task of finding the net from close range.

O'Mara nearly made it eight with an off target header before Trialist did eventually add another goal with a delicate chip over Chatham's replacement keeper.

The ninth was scored by Hessenthaler with List spotting the run of his midfield partner and Jake's finish was a clinical one into the far corner.

List got the magic tenth goal with another excellent finish before trialist added an eleventh from the penalty spot.

The referee pointed to the spot again four minutes from time and Wright decided to take centre stage on this occasion, beating the keeper low to his right hand side.

F/T: 0-12

Chatham Starting XI: Nicholls, Welsh, Butler, Coburn, Acland, Prescott, Edwards, Palmer, Gallacher, Bremner, Friend.

Gills: Hadler (Nelson 51), Chapman (Parker 45), O'Mara, Tucker, Garmston, Stevenson (Eaves 45), Wright, Oldaker (Hessenthaler 61), Simpson (List 61), Wilkinson (Trialist 45), Cundle (Mbo 45).


Referee: Mr I Searle